NATE MARQUARDT: The X-Factor

Nathan Marquardt has many accomplishments to his credit. He has a 25-6-2 professional record. He won three fights in one night to win the fourth Bas Rutten Invitational MMA Tournament in Denver. He was the first ever middleweight King of Pancrase. He is the only seven-time King of Pancrase in the history of the promotion. He is 4-0 in the UFC.

This will be an interesting match. Silva is a weapon from any angle. If he misses a right cross, he comes back with an elbow; if he turns his back, he throws rising reverse elbows; you get to close, he knees you; you fall on the ground, he submits you. He really does use every part of his body to break his opponent down.

However, Marquardt is excellent at disarming weapons and his opponents specialties. He has done it time and again, more recently with Dean Lister. If Marquardt can come with that same game, Silva doesn't stand a chance. But, if Marquardt gets too greedy and makes a mistake, you can bet silva will capitalize on it and finish him.

Again, waaaaay too close to call. It depends on the game each fighter brings and who screws up first.

On the UFC 73 Countdown Nate and other people were commenting on how good his striking is and how he has heavy hands, and if he makes the mistake of trying to prove how good his striking is instead of going to the ground guaranteed he will get knocked out.